One burning question for each District 10 boys team heading into region

Alec Kegler continues to lead his team, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds as Northeast knocked off West Creek 67-43 Tuesday in the District 10-AAA championship game.
George Robinson / USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

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Alec Kegler, 24, drives to the basket during Northeast's district championship against West Creek on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)Buy Photo

The amount of fans that packed Northeast High's gym Tuesday night created an atmosphere dripping with humidity and one befitting of a district championship game.

Boosted by 300 free tickets that were distributed to Northeast fans, bought by former Northeast greats Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Alex Poythress who were in attendance, the energy was electric from the start.

Northeast student fans choose to read The Leaf-Chronicle instead of watching West Creek starters get announced before Northeast's district championship game on February 20, 2018.
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Former Northeast stars, Alex Poythress (right) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, take a selfie at Northeast's district championship game against West Creek on February 20, 2018.
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Northeast boys starters run onto the court to be cheered by hundreds of home fans before their district championship game against West Creek on February 20, 2018.
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Kole Monson, 24, and James Williams, 23, look back to the basket after a shot by Williams during Rossview's district consolation game against Kenwood on February 20, 2018.
Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle

Northeast used that electricity to start out of the gate fast and the Eagles never really let up, handing West Creek a 67-43 loss as Northeast captured the District 10-AAA boys title.

Rossview handled Kenwood, pulling away late to finish as the district's No. 3 seed in the upcoming Region 5 tournament with a 45-36 win.

Here is the one burning question for each of the four teams heading into Saturday's region tournament.

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Former Northeast stars, Alex Poythress (right) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, take a selfie at Northeast's district championship game against West Creek on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

Northeast

How long can the Eagles' sustain their defensive intensity?

Northeast (25-5) never allowed the emotions of the night to cloud its focus on the defensive end of the floor. Despite hitting three early 3-pointers that sent the crowd into a frenzy, the Eagles best work was done on the opposite end of the floor.

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Lavontre Douglass, 21, jumps to make a shot during Northeast's district championship against West Creek on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

They held a West Creek team, that had scored 67 or more points in three of its last four games, to just 43 Tuesday night.

How Northeast fares the remainder of the season will be determined by just how locked in it is defensively.

Next: Wilson Central at Northeast, 7 p.m. Saturday, Saturday

West Creek

Can the Coyotes regroup for another run?

West Creek (18-14) took one on the chin Tuesday but it's postseason run continues. The Coyotes reached the district final for the first time since 2010-11 so the program deserves a pat on the back.

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Jaylen Negron, 30, looks to pass the ball to a teammate during Northeast's district championship game against West Creek on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

More importantly it will host a region game Saturday so the opportunity for another run, like the one the Coyotes have been on lately, is there for the taking.

Since the start of January, West Creek is 12-3 and two of those loses have come from Northeast, who was ranked No. 9 in the state late in the season.

Next: Gallatin at West Creek, 7 p.m., Saturday

Rossview

How much is Rossview's lack of true size an advantage?

Hawks coach Johnny Jackson didn't feel like his team gave the greatest effort in Tuesday's District 10 consolation game. It's difficult to play for third place when you have to watch a district championship game you feel you should be playing.

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Will Midlick, 20, jumps for the shot during Rossview's district consolation game against Kenwood on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

But the Hawks (25-6) pushed through to set a new school record for wins in a season, and now turn into road warriors.

Rossview may give up some size in the region tournament to teams in District 9 but what the Hawks lack in size they make up for in playmakers.

Rossview has three guys that can create their own shots and their ability to stretch the floor could prove a huge advantage Saturday.

Next: Rossview at Lebanon, 7 p.m., Saturday

Kenwood

Is the Knights' offense consistent enough?

Kenwood would rather forget the last two games, having lost to the district's top two regular season teams in Northeast (in the district semifinal) and Rossview (in Tuesday's consolation).

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Curtis Patterson, 4, fights for the ball during Rossview's district consolation game against Kenwood on February 20, 2018.(Photo: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

What the Knights (13-11) must address is trying to find consistency on offense. They've lost four of their last five and are averaging 44.7 points in those four losses, including finishing back-to-back games with 35 and 36 points, respectively.

Next: Kenwood at Mt. Juliet, 7 p.m., Saturday

CLOSE

Will Midlick had 16 points and Kole Monson added 12 as Rossview locked up the No. 3 seed in the region tournament with a 45-36 victory over Kenwood in the District 10-AAA boys consolation final Tuesday.
George Robinson / USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee